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First Little Dinner as Newlyweds - dessert suggestions and tomato question?
Tonight I am hosting our first dinner party as a newlywed couple. It actually all started because its the Christmas Tree Lighting nearby our house and since I am law school and from this weekend on I am on total lock down for finals preparation and really dont get to partake in the earlier holiday celebrations, just thanksgiving dinner and nothing till after Dec. 11, I figured this would be a great opportunity for me to do a little something and have family and friends over.
Anyways, we invited about 10 people, but unfortunately only 3 can make it - my parents and one of my sisters. Everyone else has existing plans, big sisters daughter made it to softball championship game which is tonight and other sister has class till late.
Anyways, I wish I would have had a better turn out since it is my "first" dinner I am hosting in my home - as a couple we only hosted our engagement cocktail party which we did all the work for - we thought it was great for everyone to meet and since his parents were out of town we just did something with 40 people or so in town with my family and some friends. I even told my mom we'd reschedule to have a better turn out but schedule wise its tough for me ( I had already bought food for 8) but she told me I should have it tonight - which works great regardless.
So tonight's menu!
Chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and spinach wrapped in bacon ( Ive cooked this several times, so dont think it will be too challenging although it might sound a little complex)
Tomato stacks ( red & green) with mozerella and basil vinagrette
Baby bella mushrooms
Garlic & Herb cheese spread to start - chardonnay and cab sav for wine.
Havent figured out dessert - any ideas?
Also, are green tomatoes the same as hierloom tomatoes - because aside from fried green tomatoes I am not seeing much but seeing similar setups like what I have with hierloom and beefsteak ( red, which is what I got)
Dessert suggestions & tomato clarification much appreciated. Thanks!
Re: First Little Dinner as Newlyweds - dessert suggestions and tomato question?
No, generally green tomatoes are just unripened tomatoes, although there are some green tomato heirloom varieties. Heirloom plants are those varieties that aren't commonly marketed but have been saved by families and handed down over generations, thus, heirlooms. Commonly marketed produce was not chosen so much for flavor but rather mass production, shipping and so on.
I'm not sure if I answered the whole question. You are not likely to find heirloom tomatoes right now as tomato season is over.
Ditto Alisha on the tomatoes. Tomatoes are really a summer fruit, so they aren't going to be at their peak flavor now. I would come up with other sides for the reason previously listed and the fact that a side of mushrooms is a little random. Maybe a risotto and a salad?
Mushroom Risotto
As far as dessert goes, here are a few ideas:
Plum Tarte Tatin
Chocolate Mousse
Great ideas ladies! Thanks!
So the green tomatoes I bought will not be going into the menu for the tomato stacks - thanks for clarifying that! Ill just make tomato with mozarella or with crumbled blue cheese and basil vinagrette - not sure which would be best.
As for the mushrooms, I think im going to make some fresh green beans and mix in the mushrooms in a nice buttery garlic/salt saute.
Dont really have time to pull together the desserts - they all sound great - since Im leaving work at 430 and hope to have dinner done by 6pm and just reheat when we get back from tree lighting.
Any suggestions on that - how do you cook before hand and have it nice and fresh for after event meal? About two hours after?!?!?!
Thanks.
I love - but my mother hates rissoto - so I wont be going that route today - however that Plum Tarte sounds amazing - keeping that for another day with the risotto thanks - is that your website? nice.
Yeah, that's my food blog. Thanks!
As far as how to prep, it helps to do as much as you can ahead of time and pick items that aren't going to require much last minute. Things that can be baked and then just rewarmed or things that are served chilled, like the mousse, tend to work best.